Our complete guide to...

Engelberg

Switzerland

Few resorts can rival Engelberg as a short break destination, particularly for competent skiers.

Not only is Engelberg easily accessible from both Zurich and Basel, but it also combines a great snow record with some formidable expert terrain, especially off-piste. Adventurous intermediates
are also well catered for, though beginner skiers would be better served elsewhere.

Engelberg may not be a classic chocolate-box Swiss village, but it is reasonably attractive and has a lively weekend vibe.

Where is Engelberg?

Transfer time:

Zurich - 1hr15, Basel - 1hr40

Engelberg is in the central-northern Swiss Alps, just one hour’s drive south of Zurich.

Engelberg - the resort

Resort height:

1050m

Engelberg is a traditional Swiss village surrounded by magnificent high mountain scenery including the permanently snow-capped 3020m Titlis.

The village may not have quite the same charm as Zermatt, Wengen or Saas-Fee but it is pleasant enough, with friendly locals, a relaxed atmosphere and an animated après-ski scene, at weekends at
least.

Engelberg's ski area

Altitude:

1050-3030m

Pistes:

82km

Engelberg offers skiing on both sides of its valley. The smaller, sunnier Brunni area is served by a cable-car from just outside town and offers a selection of mostly short, tree-lined
intermediate pistes.

On the other side of the valley, Engelberg’s larger Titlis area is also served by lifts from just outside town. This is where you will find the bulk of the more challenging terrain (both on and
off-piste) that the resort is famous for.

The Titlis area can be split into two distinct sectors, the first being Trübsee-Stand-Titlis which has the glacier, much of the best off-piste and a vertical drop of nearly 2000m. The
second Jochpass sector is smaller, but also of interest to both on and off-piste skiers.

Engelberg's famous revolving Titlis cable-car.

Engelberg's snow record

Our snow rating:☆☆☆☆☆

While the village itself may not be high, Engelberg’s slopes reach over 3000m and, being near the northern edge of the Alps, they also catch the full brunt of northerly
storms. Low level rain is not uncommon here but your chances of finding powder higher up are just about as good as anywhere in the Alps.

Engelberg also has a small glacier which normally allows skiing to open as early as October and continue well into May.

Engelberg's ski area is well known for its copious snowfall.

Where to find the best snow in Engelberg

The upper half of the Titlis/Jochpass area is high and north-facing and usually has the best snow. It includes a small glacier that reaches over 3000m and is usually open from mid-October to
mid-May.

Where to ski in bad weather

In bad weather, but as long as the snow is OK, you should head to the Brunni side where there are plenty of gentle wooded runs. The Titlis side is largely treeless, except for the very bottom.

Engelberg for experts

Our rating:☆☆☆☆☆

Engelberg is an excellent resort for advanced and expert skiers, especially off-piste.

The most famous off-piste area is the Laub, a wide, steep slope of around 1000m vertical with great views over the village. There are also plenty of less obvious unmarked routes off the top of
Titlis, some of which are as long as 2000m vertical.

Back on-piste, the itinerary from the bottom of the glacier to Stand is steep and mogulled. Many of the red runs are also on the steep side.

Engelberg is one of the best resorts for powder in the Alps.

Engelberg for intermediates

Our rating:☆☆☆☆☆

Engelberg has limited easy cruising and is best suited to adventurous intermediates in search of more challenging terrain.

The tougher runs are generally on the upper part of the mountain, with some more mellow blue runs lower down, and across the valley at Brunni.

Engelberg does have some easy cruising, despite its reputation as an expert's resort.

Engelberg for beginners

Our rating:☆☆☆☆☆

There are several small nursery slopes scattered around Engelberg, one in the valley near the village, another at Trübsee, and a third at the top of the cable-car on Brunni. However, Engelberg
only has a relatively limited number of easy slopes to progress to, so there are better places to learn to ski.

Engelberg's Swiss ski school.

Engelberg for cross country skiers

Engelberg has around 35km of cross-country trails. The longer ones are in the valley but, if snow is in short supply, there are some shorter loops both at Gerschnialp and Trübsee.

Cross-country skiing on the 'Sun Track' in the Engelberg valley.

Mountain restaurants in Engelberg

For a relatively small resort, Engelberg is well endowed with good mountain restaurants. A perennial favourite is the cosy Skihütte Stand at the bottom of the Titlis cable-car. Other
recommendations include the Jochpass, the Untertrübsee and the Berghaus Trübsee hotel at the top of the main lifts out of
Engelberg.

Mountain dining at the Trübsee Alpine Lodge.

Engelberg for non-skiers

Our rating:☆☆☆☆☆

Engelberg has plenty to do off the slopes. In the village itself you can visit a 12th century monastery and ‘show-dairy’, which produces Engelberg’s famous “Klosterglocke” cheese. There is also an
excellent sports centre.

Engelberg's 12th century monastery.

It is also easy for non-skiers to get up the mountain, to sightsee or visit the ice grotto and suspension bridge up on Titlis.

Titlis suspension bridge.

Engelberg's après-ski

Our rating:☆☆☆☆☆

Engelberg has a good variety of après-ski options and can be quite lively at weekends. At the bottom of the main lift, the Chalet après-ski bar is among the more popular places. The
Ski Lodge and Yucatan bars are two other established haunts or, for late action, you could try the Spindle nightclub.

The Chalet après-ski bar.

Eating out in Engelberg

Engelberg has a huge number of restaurants to choose from.

For traditional Alpine fayre in a cosy atmosphere you could try the ever popular Alpenclub. For Tex-Mex, head to the Yucatan at the Hotel Bellevue Terminus, or for Chinese food you should go to Moonrise.

For a more gourmet experience, the panoramic restaurant at the Hotel Waldegg (just above town) also comes recommended.

The Hotel Waldegg's panoramic restaurant.

Snow-wise's top tip

Engelberg is the closest major ski resort to Switzerland’s biggest city, Zurich. Avoid weekends if you want the slopes to yourself.